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¿How difficult is the hike to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?

April 30, 2021

Although it is popularly known as the Rainbow Mountain, the true name of this environmental wonder located in Peru is Vinicunca.

It is a name that comes from the Quechua language and is linked to the particular shape of the mountain, since «Wini» means stones, and «Kunka» neck.

We are talking about one of the main tourist destinations that are in this country and that for several years, has become one of the most visited spaces by people from all over the world who only come to know its splendor.

However, more and more people are talking about the difficulty of this route.

It is precisely for this reason that below we will show you what are the forecasts that you should take before visiting the Rainbow Mountain so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.

¿What is the difficulty of the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) hike?

When you arrive at this stage, you will notice with the naked eye that all the route you did will have been worth it, but how difficult is the walk to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?

First of all, you must take into account that it is a long journey, since before reaching the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), you must first cross several mountains and plains that are more than 4,000 meters high.

This is one of the reasons that make the journey a bit difficult, taking into account that to this we must also add that altitude is a factor that influences the breathing of each person in a different way.

The difficulty of this hike is considered moderate. Its approximate duration is 3 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of people’s steps.

However, to be able to make the journey to Vinicunca, it is advisable to be in good physical condition.

The route is made up of slightly steep ascents and plains that will increase continuously as the walk progresses. This is why a good physical condition will help you enjoy a totally incredible experience.

¿How is the route to reach the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)?

The tour begins in the Quesinuo area at 4,200 meters above sea level and when you reach the Vinicunca Mountain, you will be at a height of up to 5,000 meters above sea level.

During all that tour, you will experience a totally safe walk. Although they will go through areas of ascents and others of descents, it is a hike in which you will not find any cliff and you will not have the need to cross river flows.

Precisely because it is a safe walk, you will not even see the presence of signs, in addition to the fact that the path is very clear and there is practically no possibility that you will be lost on the way.

The Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is currently considered one of the most visited tourist attractions in Peru.

This means that throughout the tour you will meet an interesting number of people who, like you, have taken the initiative to get to know this beautiful mountain.

¿When is it more advisable to do the trek to the mountain 7 colors?

More and more people are taking the initiative to visit the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) as a destination for their vacations, but can you imagine arriving at the mountain and not being able to appreciate its colors?

Believe it or not, this is something that can happen during the rainy season that is evident between the months of November and March.

At this time, there is the possibility that the mountain ends up covered in snow, something that makes it impossible for its striking colors to be seen normally.

If you do not want to go through a situation like this, then it is best to plan your trip to Peru very well and do it preferably during the months of April and October.

These months are part of the dry season, so when you visit the Vinicunca Mountain, you can detail each of the colors that make it up.

¿What precautions to take before doing the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) hike?

If you have taken the initiative to visit the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and want to enjoy this walk to the fullest, you should take some precautions so that you can enjoy this tour to the fullest.

Sunscreens

If you go during the dry season as we recommend previously, it is essential that you protect yourself from the sun.

When you do this tour, you will spend approximately 3 to 4 hours under the sun, something that can represent physical wear and tear, taking into account that it is a walk.

That is why it is advisable to use sunscreen so that UV rays do not represent any inconvenience for you.

Hydration

Regardless of your physical condition, we recommend that you stay hydrated throughout the journey. This is the main reason why water becomes an indispensable thing that cannot be missing among the things that you should take on this walk.

Equipment

The amount of things you take on the tour will greatly influence the pace of your step. This means that if you are loaded with many things, the walk can be slow and very exhausting.

Otherwise it happens when you carry less things, since people walk more comfortably and tire less frequently.

The difficulty of the walk to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), not only depends on the route, but also on the person who does it.

If you are a person in good physical condition and who will only take what is necessary on the tour, there are many possibilities that this will become a very easy journey to overcome and that you will enjoy from beginning to end.

In the same way we are talking about a tourist place that anyone can visit without any inconvenience when they propose, so you should not miss the opportunity to do so.